Window assemblage



NOV 18, 1941. J AN ET AL Z.262,914

WINDOW ASSEMBLAGE Filed Feb. 23, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1941. R. J. BELLMANN ETAL 2,

WINDOW AS SEMBLAGE Filed Feb. 23, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR5 NOV; 18, 1941. BELLMANN ETAL 2,262,914

WINDOW ASSEMBLAGE Filed Feb. 23, 1940 5 Sheets-Shet 5 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 18, 1941' WINDOW ASSEMBLAGE Robert J. Bellmann and Otto H. Merz, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Convertible Door Manufacturing Company Application February 23, 1940, Serial No. 320,344

4 Claims.

Our invention relates in general to improvements in the art of producing sliding closures, and relates more specifically to various improvements in the construction and operation of door or window assemblages having sliding sections or sash.

Generally defined, an object of our invention is to provide an improved sliding window assemblage having simple and effective means for retaining the sash in various positions of adjustment, while permitting movement of the sash with minimum effort.

It has heretofore been almost universal practice in the manufacture of sliding balanced sash windows, to utilize sash weights and cords coacting with pulleys on the opposite sides of the window frame, in order to facilitate opening and closing of the window and to retain the upper and lower sash sections in various positions of adjustment. The use of these weights is not only objectionable because of the necessary complications in the structure of the window frame with which the sash coacts, but also because of the fact that it is diificult to properly seal and insulate the building adjacent the frame due to the provision of elongated spaces in which the weights are movable and which therefore cannot be filled with insulating material. Then too, the sash cords frequently break or become otherwise inoperative, and these cords also present an unsightly appearance since considerable portions thereof are exposed to view when either of the sash sections is lowered.

It is therefore a more specific object of our present invention to provide a new and highly useful balanced sash assemblage for sliding windows or the like, which is extremely efficient in operation and can be completely installed in the sash sections alone so as to permit the use of a very simple window frame structure.

Another specific Object of our invention is to provide a compact and durable spring actuated counterbalance for slidable closures, which can be readily applied directly to the closure section or sections, and wherein no unsightly cords, ca-

bles or chains are visible at any time.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for effectively counterbalancing the weight of vertically slidable window sash or the like, which can be readily applied to the sash rail and stiles without objectionably increasing the sizes of these elements beyond standard dimensions.

Still another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved window counterbal- An additional specific object of our invention is to provide a simplified, durable and compact spring and cord or cable actuated counterbalance which may be used effectively in conjunction with any type of upwardly and downwardly slidable closure comprising one or more movable sections.

Another additional specific object of our improvement is to provide a' window counterbalance which may be carried entirely by and is concealable from view within the elements of a window sash, and which may be applied to the sash either at the factory or in the field.

Still another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved window assemblage having sliding sash coacting with resilient weather strips, which may be most effectively insulated and tightly sealed, and which has improved counterbalancing means cooperating with the weather stripping to facilitate adjustment of the sash and retention thereof in adjusted position.

I These and other specific objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. j

A clear conception of embodiments of the several features constituting our presentimprovement, and of the mode of constructing and of operating sliding windows equipped with the new counterbalances, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a part sectional front or inside view of a twosash vertically slidable window assemblage having portions broken away to reveal internal structure;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the side portion of the frame of the window assemblage of Fig. 1, showing side views of the sash sections;

Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal section through the lower portion of the frame of the window assemblage of Figs. 1 and 2, showing bottom views of the sashes with portions of the counterbalance covers removed.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view of a pair of coacting sliding sashes, with the major portions of the counterbalance enclosing covers removed;

Fig. 5 is a similarly enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken throughthe window frame along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and showing a side view of the lower part of the lower sash;

Fig. 6 is a likewise enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the lower portion of the lower sash and frame, taken along the line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a similarly enlarged vertical section taken through the lower corner of the lower sash and frame in a plane parallel to the glass;

Fig. is a vertical section simila'rto that of Fig. '7, but showing a modified application of an improved counterbalancing unit to the bottom of the sash;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view similar" to that of Fig. 4 but showing a bottom view of modified counterbalancing assemblagessuch as shown. in.

Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is another fragmentary view' similar to.- that of Fig. 5,. but showing any end view of themodified counterbalancing unit. of :Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective View of a partof the support and: closure for the modified counterbalance; and V 1 I Fig: 14- is. a partially dismantled fragment showing; the. mode of applying one. of they improved. counterbalance units to: a; sash.

While the invention has been shown herein by way of illustration, as being applied to a standard tworsash window havingdefinite. dimensions, it is notour desire orintent to-thereby unnecessarilyrestrict the scope orutility of the improvement, since the counterbalanci'ng. units are applicableto windows and other clcsuresof variousdimensions having one ormore movable. sections. The term sash as used herein should therefore bexgivenan interpretation such. that it will. includeany sliding closure.

Referring specifically to. Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, the improved counterbalanced window assemrblage. shown therein, comprises. in. general. asimplea main window. frame having opposite vertical side jambs IS, a lower sill |:9, a top. plate 20, outside and inside casings. 2.|, 22, an. adjustable insidestop 23, afixed outside or. blind stop 24, and parting stops 25; a lower slidable section or sash having opposite side stiles26; top and bottom rails 21, 2'8 respectively connecting the stiles 26,.and-a panel or glass pane. 29 secured within the stiles and rails, the lower sash also being provided with a handle 30; an upper slidable section or sash also having opposite side. stiles 3|, top and bottom rails 32, 3-3 respectively connecting v thestiles 3|, and a panel or glass pane 34 secured within the stiles and railsyaspring actuated sash retainer or counterbalance unit associated with each of the bottom rails 28, 33 of the lower and upper sashes respectively; and resilient. metallic weather strips associated with the parting stop 25 and stiles 26, 3|, and with the lower sill. l9.- g

The mainframe structure is of extremely simpl'e.construction, and. the jambs l8, lower. sill l9 and top plate 20- thereof are; not perforated or pierced by openings in any manner, being adaptedfor. relatively snug insertion-within wall openings formedfbetweenstudsand headers.. The wall insulation may therefore be brought directly against the outer surfaces of the frame to proyide a tight-seal, without interfering with sliding ofthe closure sections or sash within the frame, and the-stops 23, 24, 25 may be formed andapplied to the windowuf-rame in the usual well known-manner, so'as-to permit ready insertion or removal oflthe sash sections.

The sash sections are also of relativelystandard construction, except that the bottom rails 28; 3 3 are provided with lower longitudinal recesses 35 extending. from one side. of the sashes to the other, and therside stiles26, 3| are provided with longitudinal tapered grooves 35 terminating at the ends of the rail recesses 35. Each of the improved counterbalance or retainer units shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, comprises an elongated metal base plate 31 having its opposite ends provided with integral depending lugs 38, 39 and with cut out portions 40 between these lugs; alinedjournal bearings 4|, 42 secured to the lugs 33, 39 respectively; a shaft or rod 43 journalled for rotation within the bearings 4|, 42; a helical torsion spring 44 embracing the medial part of the rod 43 between the lugs 39 and having its one. end 45fixedly secured to the plate 31 while its opposite end is secured to a collar 46 adjustably-attached to the rod 43 by a set screw 41; a pair ofhelically grooved tapered fusee. drums 48 secure d tothe opposite ends of therod 43 between the lugs 38, 39. andeach having ahelical spiral groove 49. of gradually increasing depth.

formed on. the periphery thereof}. an elongated flexible element or cord 50 'cooperable with the groove.49 of each drum 48 and. having one end 5| 'knotted and secured to the corresponding,

drum'while its opposite end portion extends upwardly through onev of the cut outs 40 and is attached to the adjacent frame jamb It! by means of a hook screw 52; a U-shaped housing 53ladapted to enclose and conceal the rod 43; spring 44 and drums 48 of each unit, and having. lugs 54 cooperable with the plate 31; and a plurality of fasteners such as screws 55 for holding each counterbalancing unit. assembled andwithin the. adjacent' rail recess,35.'

All of the counterbalancing units maybe; of similar interchangeable. construction, and the base plates31'and' housings 53may beformedof sheet metal with the aid of punches and dies, while. the. lugs. 39. may be welded or otherwise rigidly attached to. the, plates. 31; The units applied to. the upper and lower sashes will preferably be so positioned that. the springs 44 are reversely disposed as. shown in Figs. 1 and. 3, and after each retainer unithas been. fastened into its receiving recess. 35 by means of screws 55, the recess may be covered and concealed by means ofa thin closure strip 56' of metal or the like, held in-place in any suitable. manner. as by small brads or screws 51, or.. by formation of the strip with edge flanges. snugly engaging front and rear surfaces. of the rails... The, tension of each spring 44 may be. readily varied to'suit conditions, by releasing the. set screw 4'7 and by thereafter adjusting thefcollar, 46 relative to its carrying rod 43; and the cord winding fusee drums 48 may be rigidly attached to the end portions of the rod 43 between the. base plate lugs 38, 39 in any suitablejmanner. It is to be notedthat the fusee winding drums 48 are tapered so that when a window sash is raised or lowerecl the cord 59.. coacting with the groove 49 of the corresponding drum 48 will wind up slower as. the sash approaches its uppermost position due to the graduallydecreasingdiameter of. the drum groove 49, and will unwind faster as the same. sash approaches its lowermost position,. providing the speed of travel. of the sash in either direction is uniform. The. cables. or cords 59 must be formed of durable material, and these cords 50 are always concealed within the stilegrooves 35. vThe ends of the cords 50 remote from the drums 48 are fastened to the frame jambs Is by means of the screw hooks 52 in. such. manner, that when a cord is completely unwound its, permanently fastened end will'be near the top rail 2], 32016. its sash, and

when the cord 50 is completely wound up the same cord end will be near the bottom rail 28, 33. It is this fastening of the cords 53 which maintains them constantly concealed within the stile grooves 36, see Fig. 1, and this is an important feature of the present invention.

The modified type of counterbalancing or retaining unit specifically illustrated in Figs. to 14 inclusive, is quite similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, except for the relative disposition of the rod and spring supporting and confining elements.

with each other as heretofore described, but these elements are reversely insertible within the lower recesses 35 of the bottom rails 28, 33 of the sashes. The cooperating supporting and concealing elements of the modification may also be held in assembled position and within the grooves 35 by means of screws 55; but because of the reversal of the housings 53, the opposite ends of each housing must be provided with'a slot or opening 58 to permit passage of the cord 55 therethrough. While the notches 40 of the plate 31 are not necessary in the modified form, they may or may not be provided as they will do no harm and may facilitate removal of the units from the grooves 35.

In order to facilitate preliminary assembly of the counterbalancing units, and transportation thereof to the point of application to the sash sections with the springs 44 properly pre-set or tensioned, the shaft or rod 43, the plate 31 and the housing 53 of each unit may be provided with alined holes 59 adapted for the reception of a pin 60 as shown in Fig. 14. When the spring 44 of a unit has been properly adjusted and tensioned at the assembly plant, the pin 6!) may be inserted in the holes 59 as shown, and the housing 53 and plate 31 may be tied together and thus retained'until the unit is inserted within and is fastened to its receiving groove 35. The hook screws 52 of the cords 59 may then be applied to the jambs [8 of the receiving frames after the pin 50 has been removed, whereupon the unit is ready for use.

The window frames and sashes may either be constructed complete at the factory, or the grooves 35 and recesses 36 may be applied to the sash in the field. These recesses 36 and grooves 35 must however be properly formed as shown, to provide proper clearance for the cords 50 and to snugly receive and confine the units; and the top rail 21 of the lower sash should be formed for snug coaction with the bottom rail 33 of the upper sash along an inclined surface, when the window is closed, as in Fig. 2. In order to insure tight closing and to prevent rattling when the window is closed, it is also desirable to provide suitable weather stripping. As shown in Figs. 5, 6, '7, 10 and 12, the sill l9 may be provided with a resilient metallic weather strip 6| which is cooperable with the bottom rail 28 of the lower sash when this sash is in closed position, in order to afford a tight seal, and the top rail 32 of the upper sash may be caused to coact with a similar weather strip secured to the upper frame plate 20, if so desired. The parting stop 25 which extends from the upper plate to the sill I9, is preferably provided with a U-shaped resilient metallic weather strip 62 having flanges 63 forming elongated recesses, and each sash stile 25, 3! has a resilient metallic weather strip 54 secured thereto and provided with a flange 65 which coacts with the adjacent flange 63 of the Weather In this modification, the. base plate 3'! and the housing 53' are co-operable strip 62, in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 11. While these coacting weather strip flanges B3, 65 provide for tight closure and sealing of the window when closed, they permit ready sliding of the sashes up and down, and the tension of the springs 44 should be so adjusted as to compensate somewhat for the resistance offered by the weather stripping.

When a window embodying the present improvement has been properly assembled, as shown in Fig. 1, either the upper or the lower sash may be vertically adjusted at will and will positively remain in adjusted position even if the window is subsequently subjected to considerable vibration. When either sash is elevated, the cords associated with'the winding drums 48 thereof will wind within the spiral helical grooves 49 so that when the sash is in its extreme elevated position, the cords 50 will be wound up, as shown in solid lines at the right of Fig. 1. When either sash is lowered to its extreme lowermost position, the cords 50 associ ated therewith will be completely unwound as illustrated in solid lines at the left of Fig. 1. When the cords 50 are completely wound up on the adjacent drums 48, the corresponding spring 44 will be subjected to minimum tension, and as the cords 50 are unwound, the corresponding spring will be subjected to gradually increased torsional tension. However, for any intermediate position of either of the sashes, the spring 44 will be subjected to a tension sufficient to counterbalance the weight of the sash and to compensate for the resistance offered by the weather r strips 62, 64, and the sash will always be re- 1 tained in any desired position of adjustment but may be readily shifted from such position into any other position with least effort on the part of the operator.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be apparent that our present invention, provides an extremely simple, compact, durable and highly efficient counterbalance for sliding closures, which by proper design may be applied to closures or sashes of any shape or dimension. The improved counterbalancing units may obviously be applied to standard window sashes, and when properly applied the cords 5B are practically concealed at all times, thereby presenting a neat appearance. The construction of the window frame is obviously simplified by utilizing the improved counterbalancing units, and tight sealing of the building adjacent the frame is obviously made possible since no spaces for weights or the like are necessary. The improved window retaining units may also be applied to old or new windows, either at the factory or in the field, and by virtue of the fact that all units of. a particular type are readily interchangeable with others of the same type, installation of these units is greatly facilitated. It has also been found that the manufacture of the improved counterbalancing units in quantity, is not excessive as compared to the former cord and weight counterbalancing means, and the improved counterbalance has also been found far more efficient and will more effectively retain the window sections or sashes in any desired position of adjustment while permitting more convenient manipulation of the sashes. It is also to be noted that the improved spring counterbalances may be adjusted to compensate for variations in the frictional resistance offered by weather stripping of various types, and there is a direct cooperation between the actuating spring of the improved: retaining. unit; and the; metallic: weather stripping. By utilizing. closureplateszdfi', suchas shown herein,=the improved units may beitotally concealed andeffectively protected; and when the-unit's areassembl'ed fltispreferable to supplythe jounna-l bearings 4|, 4% with atgraphit'e lubricant so that" subsequent attention is entirely unnecessary. It has alsobeen. found that by proper selection=- of cords 5'0, the-life of these units maybe considerably prolonged, thuseliminatingannoyance and subsequent attention aftenthe invention has been applied to a window; It is also noteworthy that while thebott'om rails 28, 33- of the sashes maybe somewhat-weakened by" the initial formation of the recesses therein, these rails are-in fact re-enforced and materially strengthened when the-metal frames and housings of the retaining units are finally snugly'confined within these: recesses. Theflnal closure plates 56- may also be of diverse-shape and attached to-the rails insuch manner as to further enhancethe strength of the assemblage. and maybe combined with'theweather stripping so as to simplify the construction. The improvement" has proven highly satisfactory in actual use and'can be applied'to' standard-windows at moderate cost by a novice.

It'should be understood'that'it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact detailsof construction or to the-precise mode of operation, herein shown and described, for various" modifi'cations within the scope of theclaimsmay-occur topersons skilled in the art.

1; A sash balance unit comprising, a single narrow-elongated plate having integral outer flanges-at-its extreme opposite. ends and also having an integral inner flange spaced inwardly from each of said outer flanges; 'a' thin ro'd' supported'in all of said flanges and beingspaced. from saidplate; a fusee drum mounted upon'each' end" of said rodbetween the adjacent outer and inner flanges, each cooperatingset of said'flanges being disposed closely-adjacent to the ends of the intervening drum and the portions of said plate between each: set of flanges being narrower than the medial plate portion between the inner flanges, atorsion spring embracing said' rod between said inner flanges an'd cooperating with said drums to; simultaneoush rotate the same, a thin elongated U'-shaped housing fitting snugly" against all? edges of all of said flanges: and

supported in' all ofsaid flanges and being; spaced from saidplate, a fusee drum mounted upon each end ofsaid rodbetween the-adjacent outer and inner flanges, each cooperatingset'of said flanges being disposed closely adjacent to the F ends. of the intervening; drum. and the portions narrower; than the medialplate: portion between 4 of said plate between eachsetv of flanges being aaccgaie the inner: flanges, a torsion spring. embracing said: rod betweensaid; inner flanges andi cooperating with said drums tosimu'ltaneous'l'y rotate the same,. a thin elongated U-shapedhousingyfltting snugly against all edges of all of said flanges and against the.- opposite sides of themediarportion of said platev but being spaced. from said narrower plate portions to. provide. elongated openings" adjacent to. said drums, a cable: coactingywithv each of said drums. and having. one end attached to its drum. and its opposite end extended through one of said elongated open.- ings, and common meansfor clamping said housing to. said flanges and plate and for attaching the latter to. a support.

3. A sash balance 'unit' comprising, a. single narrow elongated plate having" integral outer flanges at. its extreme. opposite. ends. and also having an integral inner' flange. spaced inward;-

ly from each of said outer flanges, a thin rod rotatably supported. in all of. said flanges; andv being spaced from said" plate, a fusee drum secured to each end of said rod between the adjacent outer and inner flanges, each. cooperating set of said. flanges being disposed closely adjacent to the ends of" the intervening drum and the portions of said plate between each. set of flanges being narrower thanthemidd'le plate portion between the inner flanges, a. torsion spring embracing said rod: between said inner flanges-3 and having oneend secured: to said plate and its opposite end secured. to: said rod;v a thin elongated" U-shaped housing fitting. snugly against all edges ofialloisaid flan'gesiandiagainst the. opposite sides of the middle portionof said plate. but being spaced-.from said narrower plate portions to provideelongated openings adjacent to said drums, andia cablecoacting with-each of said drums: and havingone end? attached to. its

drum and" its'oppositeend extended through one of said elongated openings.

4. A sash balance unit. comprising; a single narrow elongated plate having integral outer flanges: at its extreme opposite ends and also havingan integral inner flange spaced inwardly from: eaoh..of' said outer flanges, a thin rod rotatably supported in all of" said flanges and being spaced from said plate, a fusee drum secured. to each end of'saidrodbetweenthe adjacentouter and inner flanges, each cooperating set of said flanges beingdisposed closely adjacent to the ends of the intervening drum and the portions of saidplate between each set of flanges being narrower than the middle plate portion between the inner flanges, a torsion spring enrbracingsaid rod between said inner flanges and having one end secured to said plate and its opposite end secured to said rod, a thin elongated U-shaped housing fitting snugly against all edges of all of said'flanges and against the opposite sides of the middle portion of said plate but being spaced from said narrower plate portions to provide elongated openings adjacent to said drums, a cable coacting with each of said drums and having one end attached to its drum and its opposite end extended through one of said elongated openings, and common screws penetrating-said' housing and'plate for clamping the housing to said flanges and for attaching said plate to a support;

ROBERT J. BELLM'AN N; OTTO H. MERZ. 

